The Future of Consumerist

Over the last twelve years, Consumerist has been a steadfast proponent and voice on behalf of consumers, from exposing shady practices by secretive cable companies to pushing for action against dodgy payday lenders. Now, we’re joining forces with Consumer Reports, our parent organization, to cultivate the next generation of consumer advocacy.

Stay tuned as Consumerist’s current and future content finds its home as a part of the Consumer Reports brand. In the meantime, you can access existing Consumerist content below, and we encourage you to visit Consumer Reports to read the latest consumer news.

Comcast’s Universal Studios park is the backdrop for Jerry Springer and other Comcast-tied celebs to cash in on what remains of the Sharknado craze.

If you’re one of the 1,743 people who are still amused by the whole Sharknado phenomenon, then you should consider yourself warned that the latest entry into the self-consciously trashy TV franchise is apparently not much more than an extended commercial for numerous Comcast-owned brands.

• Universal Studios Florida serves as a prominent setting for much of the TV movie, with three different rides featured and a scene set inside the Universal globe at the park. That globe also gets conspicuous placement on the key art for the movie, alongside the White House and a bunch of sharks.

• You’ll get to be reminded that Comcast owns the exclamatory E! network, with appearances by multiple personalities from that entertainment-themed cable channel. There are also a number of E! reality show veterans in the movie, like Kendra Wilkinson and Holly Madison.

• Let’s not forget about NBC’s flagship morning show. The Today Show’s Matt Lauer and Al Roker reprise their cameos from the second Sharknado, and are joined by Savannah Guthrie, Natalie Morales, Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford.

• Frequent mentions of the Xfinity brand, and the use of the Xfinity logo on a stock car and several billboards.